Your Guide to Defending a DUI Charge in Michigan

If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Michigan, the next steps you take are critical. The consequences of a DUI conviction can reach far beyond license suspension or a night in jail. Your job, reputation, finances, and freedom may all hang in the balance. This is why hiring a seasoned Michigan DUI lawyer is one of the most important decisions you can make.

Michigan enforces strict penalties for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), which includes alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. Even first-time offenders can face jail time, license suspension, steep fines, points on their record, and the long-term stigma of a criminal conviction. Repeat offenses or high BAC levels (0.17 or above) trigger Michigan’s “Super Drunk” laws with even harsher penalties.

A skilled DUI attorney can:

Evaluate the strength of the prosecutor’s case
Challenge improper police conduct or testing methods
Negotiate for reduced charges or penalties
Represent you in court if the case goes to trial

Dallo Law: Your Aggressive Defense Partner

At Dallo Law, we are more than just legal representatives. We are advocates for your freedom and future. Led by attorney J. Dallo, our firm provides:

Honest Evaluations: We give you a realistic outlook and legal strategy from the start.
Winning Strategies: We use every possible defense tactic, from constitutional challenges to trial advocacy.
Extensive Trial Experience: Attorney Dallo has litigated cases at both state and federal levels, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Skilled Negotiation: Many DUI cases are resolved outside the courtroom, and we negotiate aggressively to secure favorable deals.
Client Commitment: We focus on outcomes that prioritize your success—not shortcuts.

What Michigan Considers DUI/OWI

According to Michigan law, you can be charged with OWI if:

Your BAC is 0.08 or higher (0.02 for drivers under 21; 0.04 for commercial drivers)
You are visibly impaired by alcohol or drugs
You test positive for a Schedule 1 controlled substance or cocaine

Charges may include:

OWI: Standard drunk driving
OWVI: Operating While Visibly Impaired
OWHBAC: Operating with a High Bodily Alcohol Content
OWPD: Operating with the Presence of Drugs
Zero Tolerance OWI: For underage drivers

Michigan DUI Penalties at a Glance

Offense	Jail Time	Fines	License Action	Points
First Offense OWI	Up to 93 days	$100-$500	30-day suspension + 150 days restricted	6
OWVI	Up to 93 days	Up to $300	90-day restrictions	4
Super Drunk (0.17+ BAC)	Up to 180 days	Up to $700	1-year suspension	6
Second Offense	5 days to 1 year	$200-$1000	License revocation (min 1 year)	6
Third Offense (Felony)	1-5 years prison	$500-$5000	License revocation (min 5 years)	6

Additional penalties may include:

Ignition interlock devices
Community service
Vehicle immobilization or forfeiture
Employment consequences

Why Choose Dallo Law as Your Michigan DUI Lawyer

Dallo Law isn’t just familiar with Michigan’s DUI laws—we live them every day in the courtroom. Attorney J. Dallo has defended countless clients across Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties, building strong legal defenses in complex DUI cases. His fighting background in MMA and boxing reflects the tenacity he brings to every case.

We serve communities including:

Bloomfield Hills
Birmingham
Novi
Troy
Sterling Heights
Rochester
Royal Oak

From your first consultation to final resolution, we stand by you with personalized attention, legal clarity, and relentless advocacy.

What to Do After a DUI Arrest in Michigan

Do not admit guilt or make statements to police without a lawyer present.
Request a hearing with the Michigan Secretary of State within 14 days if your license was suspended.
Contact Dallo Law immediately to begin building your defense.

Schedule a Consultation with a Michigan DUI Lawyer

You don’t have to face your DUI charge alone. With Dallo Law, you’ll have an experienced, strategic, and compassionate advocate who understands what’s at stake.

📞 Call 248-283-7000 to schedule your confidential consultation today.

Whether it’s your first charge or you’re facing a felony DUI, we’ll fight for your rights and work toward the best possible outcome. When you need a Michigan DUI lawyer, trust Dallo Law to deliver aggressive, honest, and effective legal defense.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All content is for general informational purposes only. Viewing or interacting with this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your specific legal situation. Dallo Law makes no guarantees about the outcome of any legal matter. We proudly serve clients in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne Counties, and throughout the state of Michigan.

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Reviews

      Excellent rating  
 Based on 586 reviews 
    
  
 
 
      Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mr. Dallo has been absolutely great and made a huge difference when handling the legal process and judges. He is helpful, educational, and most of all effective. He also helps so much with understanding the legal system, how it works, and the best ways to go about certain courts and judges.
     
   Tony Lehnert 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I never hired this lawyer, but I appreciate his transparency
     
   Lence Lazoroski 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. very fast response and knowledgeable. 👍
     
   Tim stanfield 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mr Dallo recently took on my boyfriend’s case, the time I met him before going into court to support my boyfriend, Mr Dallo greeted me with the up most respect, told us what to expect, and was there every step of the way. When my boyfriend was in jail, I got ahold of his assistant and told them what was going on, it was a matter of minutes before Mr Dallo contacted me regarding my boyfriend and said we will take care of this and apologize for this manner. Mr Dallo is a man of his word, Mr Dallo and his team are truly amazing, we couldn’t thank Mr Dallo enough after the case was over, he will fight til he gets the results he wants, if you need a professional, promising, dedicated attorney, Mr Dallo should be your only call to make, you won’t be disappointed, Thank you again Mr Dallo and your team for the services you were able to provide for my boyfriend
     
   Kim Persails 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. J did an amazing job helping us with our case. He immediately responded to our call for help, late on a Sunday night, and swiftly and completely took care of everything. I have total trust in him and will definitely use him again, if something else were to happen. Very professional and knowledgeable, I highly recommend him!
     
   Julie Edmonds 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Definitely recommend dallo law after a recent fender bender, Jay was very involved as soon as we called and I could even over the phone completely trust him to represent me. He was very easy to talk to and kept me updated as soon as he knew anything. Hopefully I don’t have this situation again but if I do I know who to call.
     
   Landon Soest 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Awesome team here at dallo! I contacted them regarding a traffic incident and told them my CDL license is extremely important to me, they were able to take care of me beyond what i had expected! Awesome group of people here and couldn’t recommend them enough to anyone who is looking for a attorney!
     
   adam khammanivong 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. JJ and his team make you feel like family when he takes your case.  No matter the situation he approaches resolution in a thoughtful, composed way.  While you wish you didn’t need an attorney, if you find yourself in need you’d be a fool not to consider the Dallo team.
     
   Vito Gioia 
 
 
 
 
 
    Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I truly cannot say enough good things about Jay Dallo. From the very beginning of my case all the way through the end, Jay was absolutely incredible. I came to him during an extremely stressful and overwhelming situation, and from our very first conversation, he gave me a sense of reassurance that I desperately needed.

Throughout the entire process, Jay was supportive, confident, attentive, and always on top of everything. He never made me feel like I was just another case or another client. He always answered my phone calls, took the time to answer every single question I had, and made sure I understood what was happening and what to expect. No matter how many questions or concerns I had, I never felt like I was bothering him or being rushed.

What stood out to me the most was the confidence and reassurance he gave me from beginning to end. There was never a point where he gave me even the slightest reason to doubt him or feel like my case wasn’t being handled with the utmost care. When you are dealing with something that can have such a serious impact on your life and your future, having an attorney who makes you feel that secure is priceless.

Today, my case was completely dismissed, and I genuinely could not be more grateful that Jay was the attorney standing beside me throughout this process. He did exactly what he said he was going to do, and he was there for me every step of the way.

Jay is not only an exceptional attorney, but truly a remarkable person. His professionalism, dedication, communication, compassion, and commitment to his clients are unmatched. I will forever be grateful for everything he did for me and for the peace of mind he gave me during one of the most difficult and stressful situations I have ever dealt with.

If you are looking for an attorney who will genuinely fight for you, communicate with you, reassure you, and make you feel like your case truly matters, I cannot recommend Jay Dallo enough. Choosing him to represent me was one of the best decisions I could have made. Five stars does not feel like enough. Thank you, Jay, for everything.
     
   Carmen Ball